Columbus Trades David Jiricek to the Minnesota Wild

In addition the first round pick is top 10 protected. If the Wild finish in the top 10, then the pick will become a 2026 first round draft pick.

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It was a week ago that the rumor came out that a David Jiricek trade was going to come. It was first reported by RG. Then several other insiders including Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, and Pierre LeBrun picked it up. There were several teams involved in the process including the front-runner from the start the Minnesota Wild.

As David Calabretta of the Fourth Period and Full Press Hockey has reported the Wild were the front runners to get him. Calabretta mentioned numerous times during the weekly rumor segments that Minnesota might have the best trade package to get the deal closed. Other teams that were involved were the Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, and potentially the Montreal Canadiens.

Blue Jackets General Manager Don Waddell wanted to do what was best for Columbus and the player. Jiricek was entering the second year of his entry level deal he signed with the Blue Jackets. The sixth overall pick from the 2022 NHL Draft was sent to the AHL Cleveland Monster a little over a week ago.

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Jiricek, who just turned 21 a couple of days again just played six games with the Blue Jackets this season. He had played in a total of 53 games, including 43 games last season with Columbus. He has 11 points in 53 games, including just one point this season.

There is so much potential for this player who needs to develop still. As Russ Cohen of Sportsology, NHLDraftBuzz, SiriusXM NHL Network Radio, and Off the Post Podcast stated on a recent episode of the podcast, he believes Jiricek needs a year or more of development in the AHL.

Again like so many players the team timeline and player timeline did not line up. Not to mention, Jiricek needs a fresh start as not only did Waddell but Jarmo Kekäläinen mishandled him as well. However, as Cohen notes Jiricek is big and has a good shot. The hockey IQ might not be as strong as many thought but it is still workable to go along with tangles and tools.

The Minnesota Wild have nice pieces on their defense moving forward with the acquisition of Jiricek. He will join Brock Faber, who just signed a new eight year extension. Not to mention the the 12th overall pick from the 2024 NHL Draft in Zee Buium.

The Wild will start David Jiricek in the AHL as Cohen noted. It is what is best for him now. Now the fresh start can begin for this young player.